Cheesy Sloppy Joe Party Dip is what happens when you take all that saucy, messy goodness from a sloppy joe sandwich and turn it into something you can scoop up with a chip. And yes, there’s plenty of melted cheese involved!
You still have that familiar sweet and tangy beef mixture, but cream cheese makes it thicker and creamier. Then you add cheddar on top and bake it until everything is hot. It’s hearty enough that nobody’s going to mistake it for a little bowl of salsa.
You’ll need a large skillet to cook the beef and an 8-inch baking dish to finish it in the oven. Super easy, and the whole recipe takes about 30 minutes.
This cheesy ground beef dip is a great choice for football parties, game nights, potlucks, or pretty much any excuse to bring out the tortilla chips.
Sturdy chips are a good idea here because this isn’t a thin dip. Toasted baguette slices are another tasty option, especially if you want more of that traditional sloppy joe sandwich feel.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Sloppy Joe Party Dip
All the Sloppy Joe Flavor Without the Sandwich
You get that familiar sweet, tangy, savory beef filling, only now it’s mixed with cream cheese and topped with melted cheddar. No buns required. Just grab something sturdy for scooping.
Ready in About 30 Minutes
You don’t need to spend the afternoon making an appetizer. Brown the beef, stir everything together, and finish it in the oven. It’s a pretty manageable recipe when you’ve got other party food to prepare.
Plenty of Cheese in Every Scoop
There’s cream cheese mixed right into the beef and sharp cheddar throughout. The melted cheese on top is especially good when the dip is still hot.
Great for Sharing
This recipe makes 8 servings, so it’s a good size for a small gathering. Set it out with a few different dippers and let everyone choose their favorite. Tortilla chips, crackers, and toasted bread all work.
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground Beef
You can use lean ground turkey instead of ground beef. The flavor will be a little different from traditional sloppy joes, but it works well in this dip.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Monterey Jack is a good substitute if you prefer a milder cheese flavor. You can also use a combination of Monterey Jack and cheddar.
Cream Cheese
Neufchâtel cheese works in place of regular cream cheese. It has a similar creamy texture with less fat.
Yellow Mustard
Dijon mustard works if you don’t have yellow mustard. It has a slightly sharper flavor, but you can use the same amount.
Brown Sugar
You can use either light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has a stronger molasses flavor, but both work.
Green Onions
Chopped fresh parsley is an easy substitute for the green onions. You can also leave off the garnish entirely.
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Cheesy Sloppy Joe Party Dip
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 2 tablespoon sliced green onions optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until browned and the onion is tender.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and completely blended into the beef mixture.
- Stir in ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to an 8-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dip is hot and the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with sliced green onions, if using.
- Serve warm with sturdy tortilla chips, toasted baguette slices, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Choose Sturdy Dippers – Thin tortilla chips may break under the weight of this dip. Thick tortilla chips, toasted baguette slices, and sturdy crackers are better choices. Adjust the Sweetness – Sloppy joe sauce has a sweet and tangy flavor. If you prefer a less sweet dip, reduce the brown sugar slightly. Add Some Heat – A pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce will give the dip a little kick without changing the original flavor too much. Keep It Warm for Serving – This dip thickens as it cools. For longer gatherings, transfer it to a small slow cooker on the warm setting after baking.Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator – Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving. Microwave – Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot throughout. Oven – Place leftover dip in an oven-safe baking dish, cover with foil, and heat at 350°F until thoroughly heated. The center should reach 165°F.Nutrition
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